A reference to judicial corruption included in a Class 8 social science textbook has sparked a major controversy, drawing concern from the highest levels of government and prompting judicial intervention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly expressed strong reservations about the inclusion of such material during a Cabinet meeting, questioning whether discussions on corruption within the judiciary were appropriate for students at the middle-school level. According to sources, the Prime Minister also raised concerns about the approval process, asking how sensitive institutional topics were cleared for publication and introduced into classrooms.
The textbook in question contains a case study discussing corruption within the judiciary, which has now come under close scrutiny by authorities. The issue has triggered broader debate about age-appropriate educational content and the safeguards involved in drafting and vetting school textbooks. While there was initially no official confirmation on whether revisions would be made, government sources indicated that the matter would be examined by the agencies responsible for curriculum approval and oversight.
The controversy escalated when the Supreme Court of India intervened and imposed a complete ban on further publication, reprinting, or digital circulation of the Class 8 social science textbook published by NCERT. Acting in a suo motu case, a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant ordered the immediate seizure and removal of all physical and digital copies currently in circulation. The court described the content as “offending” and expressed serious concern about its potential impact on public perception of the judiciary.
During the hearing, the bench, which also included Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, observed that the material appeared to reflect a deeper and possibly deliberate attempt to undermine the dignity and credibility of judicial institutions. The Chief Justice remarked that the judiciary was being harmed by such representations and emphasised the need to identify those responsible for approving the content. The court warned that any attempt to reintroduce the same material under a different format or title would be treated as a wilful violation of its order.
Show cause notices were issued to the NCERT director and the secretary of the Department of School Education, requiring them to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against individuals responsible for including the chapter. The bench stated that it was shocked after learning of the textbook’s publication through media reports and noted that instead of acknowledging concerns, the NCERT leadership had initially defended the material in written communication. On preliminary examination, the court concluded that the narrative failed to present a balanced picture, as it did not adequately highlight reforms undertaken by the judiciary or its role in safeguarding democratic values.
The court further observed that presenting such material without sufficient context could erode public confidence in judicial institutions and negatively influence impressionable young students. It emphasised that educational content must be carefully framed to ensure institutional criticism does not undermine trust in constitutional bodies.
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta offered an unconditional apology on behalf of the Department of School Education. He informed the court that the individuals involved in preparing the chapter would no longer be associated with ministry work and confirmed that the affected textbooks were being withdrawn from circulation. He also stated that the chapter would be completely rewritten by a new team, stressing that school education should not create the impression that justice is routinely denied in the country.
NCERT subsequently issued its own apology, acknowledging that the content was inappropriate and confirming that the chapter would be revised in consultation with relevant authorities. The disputed section, titled “Corruption in the Judiciary,” had discussed issues such as corruption allegations, case backlogs, and shortages of judges while noting that judges are governed by a code of conduct. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on March 11, as authorities move to reassess the textbook’s content and approval processes.
